Lake Chalice / Patriarch - Organiser: Ruth Hesselyn
This trip was yet another February casualty, so due to the persistent rain, I opted to go up the wall instead!
Eight of us met at 'Vertical limits' saturday afternoon, where we spent a couple of enjoyable hours stretching, dangling and occasionally reaching the top of various colour coded climbs. The participants were Beverly Muirhead, Carole Crocker, Dion Pont, Giselle Clements, Mark Stevens and two visitors, Chris (an experienced climber from Canada) and Pam (a keen beginner).
There were eight starters for the Sunday stroll to North Peak. We met in Richmond at the leisurely hour of 10am, just so the mists would have time to clear! Even this modest goal was nearly thwarted before we got far up the forestry road, due to one very large windfall. As no one had a chainsaw, Dave mentioned that there was an alternative route up the road, which proved correct. The tramp was short and sweet, with lunch on top. We were granted occasional views through the mist, passed through a cold and wet southerly, then basked
in sunshine when nearly back at the cars. But the highlight of the trip was looking at the best collection of toadstools I've ever seen! On the trip: Alison Nicoll, Beverly Muirhead, Brian McLean, Dave Blunt, Gretchen Williams, Mark Stevens, Uta Purcell, and Skye Hesselyn.
Private trip to Copland Pass - 2-6 March 2004. Organiser: Ruth Hesselyn
Yes, finally after weeks of waiting for good weather, a small window of fine weather so here we were. The track begins from the carpark just north of the Karangarua River roadbridge on State Highway 6. In typical West Coast fashion we get our feet wet within the first 100 metres as we cross Rough Creek, the first of many creek crossings today. We are then on the well-used bush highway across river flats through forest before passing above the confluence of the Karangarua and Copland Rivers. From here we follow the true right bank of the Copland River along bouldery river beds, crossing side creeks and river terraces. We cross a massive active slip caused by the “300 year flood” of March 1982. From Shiels Creek the track descends slowly to emerge into a small clearing at Welcome Flat. Ruth praises us for making good time and our reward is one hour’s R&R.
After exactly one hour, Ruth summoned the troops and we were off to Douglas Rock Hut, some 3 hours away. We crossed to the true left of the Copland River, via the large suspension bridge. Then across large open river flats contained by the Sierra Ranges on our right and the Navigator Ranges on our left. All in wonderful sunshine. At Scotts Creek (which had water in only one of its many tributaries), David shows us the route to climb Mt Sefton but we will leave that for another day! Beyond Scotts Creek, the track enters the forest and begins to climb as it sidles the upper gorge. The higher we climb the more rata we see in flower and with the snow-capped peaks behind, it is a wonderful sight. We reach the hut at 5.30pm.
We shared the hut with five Waiheke Island “hippies” who had just come over the Pass. These were genuine hard-core she’ll be right characters, and certainly not your normal alpine adventurers. They provided an endless talking point for the remainder of our trip. Like the one who wore rubber boots for the crossing, or the one who’d never been on snow before, or the one who ran 34km in boat slippers to get booze for his friends back at the hot pools. Anyway, an early start was requested, so come morning but still in darkness, we prepared for our day to the Pass. Would the weather hold?
This day at least we had lighter packs. The first section along the valley is only a gradual climb, again crossing several side creeks. Then it is on to a zig zag track which rises steeply giving views of the Copland Glacier and its terminal lake and hanging ice perches on the side of the Banks Range. As we continue up the Pass, we climb into a couple of snow-covered basins separated by steeper rock-strewn sections. Then the final snow slope with Fitzgerald Pass ahead and Copland Pass to our left. Copland Pass is not at all like a pass but a series of abrupt rock pinnacles and it is these that Ruth explains we have to climb. The group goes silent - exhaustion or fear I’m not quite sure. Anyway the weather is wonderful so our group decide to go on to Fitzgerald Pass, have lunch, enjoy the views and possibly attempt Copland Pass after lunch. So we all proceed to the top of Fitzgerald Pass and what a truly wonderful sight beholds us. Glorious views down into the Hooker Valley and across the other side of the valley, Lake Pukaki in the south, Mt Cook to the north, Copland Valley to the west, and Tasman Sea beyond.
We had lunch and reward chocolates from Ruth, then she encouraged us across a snow slope from our safe lunch spot to start our climb to the Copland. The far end narrow gully had snow and ice going about half way up so Ruth started cutting steps heading for its rocky shute. Once into that she climbed the rock section on to the Pass with everyone else following literally in her footsteps. From this point we could see Mt Sefton and Toadstool to the south of us, and the large bergschrund below us. After some time here, we retraced our steps with various stops for chocolate, including a nice long stop by Deep Creek for late lunch/early afternoon tea.
The next day, back down the valley pausing at Welcome Flat Hut and Architect Creek Hut for breaks. A great tramp, many thanks to Ruth for her perfect timing of this trip and her gentle persuasion along the way to get the job done. The lucky travellers were: David Blunt, Carole Crocker, Shirley Arnst, Dion Pont, Ken Ridley, Ian Pavitt (scribe), and Ruth Hesselyn.
Bounds - 6-7 March 2004. Organiser: Mike Drake
At 10:12 three trampers headed up Boulder Stream and with much banter and chatter, the valley to the ridge was quickly reached. Once Boulder Stream was crossed the valley gradually steepened with a corresponding reduction in chatter. The ridge top was savoured and a short side trip provided us with a view of tomorrow’s objective and some psychological preparation. A diagonal route down to, and then following Station Creek, brought us to a campsite area. At this point many goats slowly came into view, most quickly fled, but a billy, with a very domineering posture surveyed the situation. A good set of horns caused the party to pause while billy was assured that his harem was safe. Brews, biscuits, dinner and good conversation saw us early to bed. On Sunday at 08:10, after a one hour climb up a spur, we were at 1400m at the start of the ridge traverse. However the first peak had to be reached before the true character of the ridge was presented. Once reached silence was followed by further questioning about the difficult parts. I could only remember one tricky part, but with an easy alternative. Being suspected of suffering traumatic amnesia the team was motivated to quickly explore the way forward. Three hours and 30min later with few stops, the summit was safely reached, providing a patchwork of views through a sea of low cloud. A relaxing lunch with the team now fully desensitised to sheer drops saw us quickly retracing our steps to arrive back at the campsite in 3 hours. Having emptied all water bottles the stoves were fired up for a well earned brew. A quick march out via an alternative route, with a “bit” of bush, brought us to the car in approx. 2 hours. An excellent weekend. The ridge hoppers were Nora Flight, Mark Stevens, and Mike Drake.